An Amicable Meeting

[Reeves]

As if more of a tactical move to be rid of the attendant, Damien fired off a quick but polite order for himself. "Blue bolt with three ice cubes." A commonly stocked and utterly generic blue colored soda known for its sweet but somewhat sour taste on account of the fruit it was artificially flavored after. Not the choice someone would have expected from a man that looked and acted like he did, but this seemed to be his honest preference.

With their vicinity temporarily liberated, he refocused himself on the unintended eruption of tension unfolding in front of him. "I don't expect you to tell me what's on your mind, I wouldn't really recommend it either. I'm still who I am and I still represent the interests you're acutely aware of. But whatever, or whoever it was - neither deserves to hold any power over you now." He wasn't offering sympathy, pity, or an apology for accidently broaching this subject. But there was legitimate sincerity to what he'd just said. Words gleaned from personal experience given the kind of life he'd had, and many lessons learned as a consequence of stolen self-determination. As Krest likely expected of him by now, it was an open ended statement. He was clearly listening if she intended to speak further, but also prepared to instantly drop it.

It wasn't going to matter to him any more than it did to her. And at least in this regard, she was being given open respect and total discretion.